The Town Planning Board today (February 10) announced the publication of the draft Cheung Sheung Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The planning scheme area, covering a total land area of about 18 hectares, is located at the centre of Sai Kung West Country Park, on an upland plateau about 300 metres above sea level, surrounded by ridges and spurs. It is a Priority Site for Enhanced Conservation under the New Nature Conservation Policy and is located within the upper indirect water gathering ground.

A spokesman for the Board said that the general planning intention for the area is to protect its high conservation and landscape value which complements the overall naturalness and the landscape beauty of the surrounding Country Park. It is also intended to consolidate village development so as to avoid undesirable disturbances to the natural environment and overtaxing the limited infrastructure in the area.

About 0.03 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to designate both existing recognised village and area of land considered suitable for village expansion.

To define the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets, about 13.7 hectares of land, comprising mainly woodlands, is zoned "Green Belt" to provide a buffer between the village type developments and Sai Kung West Country Park, and conserve the natural and landscape character of the area. This zone also comprises the open grassland (including the playground) in front of the provision store, which has long been serving as a popular destination for hikers for rest.

About 4.27 hectares of land is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environment such as Country Park from the adverse effects of development. This zone largely covers the riparian zone of the Cheung Sheung Ecologically Important Stream where freshwater marshes and habitat of the Hong Kong paradise fish are found.

The draft Cheung Sheung OZP No. S/NE CS/1 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board; the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin; the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the Tai Po District Office; and the Sai Kung North Rural Committee.

Any person can make written representation in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Board on or before April 10, 2017.

Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).